| The first Olympic mascot was introduced in 1972 | | | | the Eagle is probably one of the most famous |
| at the Munich games. These mascots have | | | | mascots that the Olympics have ever seen. He |
| become a very important element of the | | | | was created for the 1984 Summer Olympics in |
| Olympics. It is an image that is unique and very | | | | Los Angeles. He wore the legendary clothes of |
| popular because it materializes the spirit of the | | | | Uncle Sam. He also held his version of the torch |
| Olympics, promotes the history, and | | | | held by the statue of liberty. It was at this point |
| communicates the overall concept. This makes | | | | that commercial use of the mascots was |
| the Olympic mascot a must when it comes to | | | | permitted. Beforehand, it had not, but Walt |
| the games. It is a must for children, for the | | | | Disney's design of Sam the Eagle marked a new |
| general public, to display the uniqueness of each | | | | precedent when it came to Olympic mascots. |
| geographical area, and to relay the culture of the | | | | 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics |
| host city. | | | | The Beijing Summer Olympics consists of five |
| Waldi, the dachshund was the very first mascot in | | | | dolls. Their names are Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhaun, |
| 1972. This is because the dachshund is a great | | | | Yingying, and Nini. Each symbolizes something |
| representation of tenacity, resilience, and agility, | | | | different. An example is that Nini is a symbol of |
| which are the key elements an athlete possesses. | | | | infinite sky. It is a representation of the green |
| This explains why he was a great choice as the | | | | Olympic ring. The rest are as follows: |
| first Olympic mascot. He was dressed in multiple | | | | - Beibei - A reflection of the strength in water |
| pastel colors to express the joy and the gaiety of | | | | sports. It is a representation of the blue Olympic |
| the Olympics. The introduction of the Olympic | | | | ring. |
| mascot was perhaps the most memorable | | | | - Jingjing - Shows the strength in athletics. It is a |
| mascot moment. | | | | representation of the black Olympic ring. |
| Other memorable mascots | | | | - Huanhuan - Reflects the excellence in ball games. |
| Hidy and Howdy were the mascots for the 1988 | | | | It is a representation of the red Olympic ring. |
| Calgary Winter Games, but some never quite | | | | - Yingying - Relfects the strength in track and |
| understood the concept of brother and sister | | | | field events. It is a representation of the yellow |
| bears that were inseparable. In some cases, | | | | Olympic ring. |
| individuals claimed that this was a bit creepy with | | | | These mascots were designed by Han Meilin. He |
| a bit of cuteness thrown in there. The two were | | | | said it was impossible for a single figure to reflect |
| dressed in cowboy and cowgirl clothes, which has | | | | the magnitude of these Olympic games. That is |
| a lot to do with the fact that Calgary's nickname | | | | because China has a very intense and diverse |
| is 'Cowtown.' However, Hidy and Howdy were, in | | | | culture that cannot be summed up in just one |
| fact, polar bears. | | | | mascot. This makes the 2008 Summer Olympics |
| Another interesting fact about mascots is the | | | | the first in which 5 mascots were used. The most |
| death of Rocky, who was to be the mascot for | | | | before that point was 3 used in the 2000 Sydney |
| the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games. There was a | | | | Summer Olympics. Those mascots were Olly, |
| mystery surrounding this mascot because Rocky | | | | Syd, and Millie and were said to have been |
| mysteriously 'passed away' before the Olympics | | | | upstaged by a series of unofficial mascots that |
| ever began. Rocky was then replaced by Roni, a | | | | were created that year. However you look at it, |
| cartoon raccoon. | | | | mascots have certainly created many memories |
| However, one of the most elegantly crafted | | | | for the Olympics. |
| mascots was that created by Walt Disney. Sam | | | | |